Trip Planning for Lionhead Range

as of 5:00 am
Mar 260″ | 10-25 SW
Mar 25 0″ | 10-35 W
Mar 24 3″ | 15-40 W
9420′     03/27 at 2:00
37.9℉
W - 18mph
Gusts 29 mph
7750′     03/27 at 02:00
36℉
69″ Depth
Primary Problem: Loose Wet
Bottom Line: Temperatures will be 10 degrees warmer than yesterday and fewer clouds in the sky, accelerating snow surface warming. Wet snow avalanches will pack a serious punch, increasing in volume and traveling farther than yesterday. Southeast through west-facing slopes, and areas with exposed rocks or cliff bands, will be particularly susceptible. Limit your exposure to problematic aspects and slopes as the snow transitions from frozen and mostly stable to wet and unstable. Wind slab avalanches near high elevation ridgelines, and slides breaking on buried weak layers, specifically in the mountains south of Big Sky, and near West Yellowstone are additional concerns.

Past 5 Days

Sat Mar 22

Considerable
Sun Mar 23

Moderate
Mon Mar 24

Moderate
Tue Mar 25

Moderate
Wed Mar 26

Considerable

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Lionhead Range
LIONHEAD AREA
Many Wind Slab Avalanches at Lionhead
Incident details include images
Incident details contain video
LIONHEAD AREA
N-R2-D2-I
Elevation: 9,400
Aspect: E
Coordinates: 44.7292, -111.3230
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

We saw many R1-R2 wind slab avalanches below the Lionhead Ridge cornice line. Visibility was limited so I won't estimate the exact number, but nearly every time we had good views of the steep faces, we saw cornice collapses, debris, or small crown lines. There were two slides on east aspects that ran closer to full path and piled debris more deeply. I expect that most of these had run within the last 24 hours, but continuing snowfall and hurricane force winds made precisely dating these a challenge (many trees were blown down during the wind event, these too were already somewhat buried). None of the avalanches broke on persistent weak layers as far as I could tell. 


More Avalanche Details
Lionhead Range
Lionhead Ridge
recent small wind slabs at Lionhead
Incident details include images
Lionhead Ridge
SS-N-R1-D1-S
Elevation: 9,000
Aspect: E
Coordinates: 44.7145, -111.3180
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

We rode out Lionhead Ridge and around the north end to the head of Targhee Creek. Skies started overcast, but cleared through the day as wind calmed from moderate to light out of the west and southwest.... there were two or three shallow small wind slabs below Lionhead Ridge. 


More Avalanche Details

Relevant Photos

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Videos- Lionhead Range

WebCams


Rendezvous Ski Trail, W. Yellowstone

Snowpit Profiles- Lionhead Range

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Forecast Lionhead Range

Extended Forecast for

10 Miles WNW West Yellowstone MT

  • Today

    Today: A slight chance of rain showers before 4pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers after 5pm. Some thunder is also possible.  Increasing clouds, with a high near 42. South southwest wind 11 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 20%.

    High: 42 °F

    Sunny then
    Slight Chance
    Rain/Snow

  • Tonight

    Tonight: A 50 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 3am. Some thunder is also possible.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Southwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    Low: 26 °F

    Chance Snow
    Showers

  • Friday

    Friday: A 40 percent chance of snow showers.  Partly sunny, with a high near 34. South southwest wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    High: 34 °F

    Chance Snow
    Showers

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: A chance of snow showers before midnight, then a chance of snow after midnight.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. South southwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 25 °F

    Chance Snow
    Showers

  • Saturday

    Saturday: Snow, mainly after noon.  High near 32. South wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    High: 32 °F

    Chance Snow
    then Snow

  • Saturday Night

    Saturday Night: Snow.  Low around 23. South southwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

    Low: 23 °F

    Snow

  • Sunday

    Sunday: A 50 percent chance of snow.  Partly sunny, with a high near 29. South southwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    High: 29 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Sunday Night

    Sunday Night: A chance of snow after midnight.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. South wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

    Low: 23 °F

    Mostly Cloudy
    then Chance
    Snow

  • Monday

    Monday: Snow.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30.

    High: 30 °F

    Snow

The Last Word

Eastern Oregon University is conducting a survey to better understand avalanche safety preparedness among motorized backcountry users like you. Your feedback will help us learn more about who is purchasing and practicing with avalanche rescue gear (beacon, probe, shovel) and participating in avalanche education, and why some riders aren’t.  The survey is confidential and anonymous. 

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Thank you for your time and for participating in this important effort!

03 / 25 / 25  <<  
 
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